Suspensions at Broadneck 'up in the air,' mother says 5 suspended players include back Williams, pair of linebackers

Football

October 09, 1998|By Pat O'Malley | Pat O'Malley,SUN STAFF

The mother of junior quarterback Ryan Eslin said yesterday "everything is still up in the air" regarding the suspension of her son and four senior starters on No. 7-ranked Broadneck's unbeaten football team.

The five are suspended from tomorrow's game at Laurel for alleged violations of the Anne Arundel County conduct code for student athletes at last week's homecoming dance.

Lineman John Cifolilli acknowledged Wednesday that he is one of the suspended players, and several sources identified the other three, all seniors, as running back/linebacker Tremayne Williams and linebackers David Hooper and Jon Price.

The latter three could not be reached for comment.

Broadneck's coach and athletic director would give no details about the suspensions.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Williams is a key offensive player for the 5-0 Bruins. He is averaging 12.4 yards a carry, complementing Broadneck's other back, Martel Threadgill, the county's leading rusher with 905 yards and 12 touchdowns on 109 attempts. Threadgill was not involved in the suspensions.

In Saturday's 21-0 homecoming win against Queen Anne's, Williams gained 161 yards on 13 carries and scored the third touchdown. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.

Whether the players return this season is for now in the hands of principal Lynn Blackman, who was not in school yesterday.

"We had a conference at the school yesterday, but it was with administrators because the principal, we were told, was at a Board of Education conference," said Cheryl Eslin.

The meeting with administrators didn't accomplish anything, she said, adding that "all we want to do is get our son back playing football."

Her husband, Donald Eslin, said if his son is not reinstated, he will appeal. Eslin said he is concerned that his son could be suspended for the season.

Any disciplinary action can be appealed through the county complaint procedures for public schools. If formal legal advice is necessary for either party, the complaint goes immediately to the superintendent.

The Eslins said they are not anticipating legal representation. While the Eslins are worried their son could be gone for the remainder of the season, Cifolilli, 18, has said he is "gone for the rest of the year."

Cifolilli, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman and one of the team's seven three-year starters, is not giving up hope of being reinstated, his foster mother said.

Broadneck athletic director Ken Kazmarek confirmed Tuesday night and again Wednesday that five members have been suspended for at least one game and that season-long suspensions for one or more players were a possibility.

Yesterday, though, he said none may be suspended for the entire season.

Yet, the rule states any student suspended from school for violation of the conduct code "will be prohibited from participating in interscholastic sports programs for at least the remainder of the season in which the infraction occurs and may be subject to such other athletic sanctions as the principal deems appropriate."

Violations governed by board policy include assaults, possession of weapons, drugs, alcohol, drugs, dangerous substances or use of tobacco or disruptive behavior.

Student-athletes are required to read the county athletic guide, which includes the conduct code, and with a parent or guardian sign a contract stating they have read it and will adhere to it.